When Japanese talk about their domestic ricefish, they usually call them Medaka. This name is used for wild and farmed forms alike and can be roughly translated as "with bright eyes," which refers to the big metallic eyes characateristic of ricefishes.

Exactly when these little fish managed to conquer the hearts of the Japanese can no longer be pinpointed. We do know that they, along with Goldfish, were kept by all classes of people in the Edo period (the reign of Tokugawa shoguns from 1603 to 1868).

Devario sondhii, the Fireline Danio, is one of the species new to the aquarium trade that is starting to flourish in the wake of Myanmar's government reforms and the restoration of trade with the world outside of Burma.

First described decades ago, D. sondhii (Hora & Mukerji, 1934) is reported to be a typical Danio, hardy and a greedy eater.

"The best tankmates for Danios include bottom-dwellers such as Loaches and Corydoras," according to the Wet Spot. "These fish are a great addition to a community tank enjoying water quality in the normal Daniorange. They add a certain 'spunk' that is a joy to watch without requiring additional care."